title: Open pelvic fractures.
abstract: We reviewed 32 patients with open pelvic fractures treated over a 5-year period. Eleven patients had isolated fractures of the ilium and in 21 patients pelvic ring disruption was associated with a perineal laceration. Three patients died from massive haemorrhage soon after admission and one patient from severe sepsis. Early pelvic stabilization and meticulous attention to the soft tissue injury proved invaluable in the management of open unstable pelvic fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and General Surgery, University of Natal, Congella, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sham
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy